The following watches and warnings are in place with this advisory:

Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area

NOAA says the warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

Hurricane Lane: Large swells generated by the hurricane will severely impact the Hawaiian Islands (Image: The Weather Channel )

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

The following hazards are expected to affect land:

Wind

Tropical storm conditions are expected on portions of the Big Island beginning later this morning, with hurricane conditions expected in some areas by tonight.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin over portions of Maui County later today, with hurricane conditions expected in some areas by Friday.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on Oahu late tonight, with hurricane conditions expected Friday into Friday night.

Rainfall

Rain bands from Hurricane Lane will continue to overspread the Hawaiian Islands.

Excessive rainfall associated with Lane will impact the Hawaiian Islands into the weekend, leading to significant and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.

Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localised amounts in excess of 30 inches over the Hawaiian Islands.

Over 12 inches of rain has already fallen on portions of the Big Island.

Surf

As Lane is slow-moving, large swells generated by the hurricane will severely impact the Hawaiian Islands over the next couple of days.

These swells will produce very large and damaging surf along exposed west and south facing shorelines.

A prolonged period of high surf will likely lead to significant coastal erosion.

Hurricane Lane from space: An astronaut on the International Space Station shared this amazing image (Image: Reuters via NASA)

Storm surge

The combination of a dangerous storm surge and large breaking waves will raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels along south and west facing shores near the centre of Lane.